5 High-Paying Jobs That Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago

When we were kids, teachers told us that the jobs we'd have as adults hadn't even been invented yet. That's not strictly true. Take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, and you'll see plenty of familiar job titles with projected growth rates of 30 percent or more over the next 10 years, including titles as diverse as brickmason and dental hygienist. But, what is true is that some high-paying job titles that are projected to grow didn't exist when we were in school. In fact, some didn't exist as recently as 10 years ago – or were so rare that you probably hadn't heard of them.

September 4, 2015

When we were kids, teachers told us that the jobs we’d have as adults hadn’t even been invented yet. That’s not strictly true. Take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, and you’ll see plenty of familiar job titles with projected growth rates of 30 percent or more over the next 10 years, including titles as diverse as brickmason and dental hygienist. But, what is true is that some high-paying job titles that are projected to grow didn’t exist when we were in school. In fact, some didn’t exist as recently as 10 years ago – or were so rare that you probably hadn’t heard of them.

Do You Know What You're Worth?

Data scientists manage and mine vast amounts of statistical data and create data models that provide insight about business processes. People with this job frequently have advanced degrees in computer science, and years of work experience in a related field.

If you have a smartphone or a tablet, you use the fruits of these workers’ labor. Mobile applications developers create and develop apps across a variety of mobile platforms, and have a foundation in programming languages such as C++, PHP, MS/SQL, Java, and Adobe. Mobile Applications Developers can work for tech giants like Apple or Google, or small startups, or even freelance, thanks to the versatile nature of this job.

Whenever news of a data breach reaches the press, people start worrying about the safety of their personal information. What they don’t think about is how relatively rare such breaches are, considering how much data there is to protect. (How much is there? A lot. It’s measured in zettabytes.) For this, we have Information Security Analysts to thank. By analyzing potential security flaws and implementing policies, these workers keep personal data – and their employer’s bottom line – safe.

Today’s digital strategist might’ve grown up planning to write the Great American Novel … or become master of a science fiction universe all their own. Well-versed in SEO and SEM and highly computer literate, digital strategists work with a team to analyze data and develop long-term goals for a company’s products.

Designing a LEED-certified building or retrofitting a non-green building to be more energy efficient requires specialized training. Green Building Architects typically need a stronger science background than regular Architects, and companies may prefer to hire candidates with advanced degrees focusing on green sciences. In addition, they need to be skilled in the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and design software.

Median Pay for 5-8 Years’ Experience: $60,600

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If you could retrain for a new career, starting today, what would it be? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.

The green construction industry is on it’s way to being one of the faster growing industries mentioned.This is because a lot of states are puting in new standards for homes and buildings to be commissioned,retrofitted,etc, into law and there aren’t to many people that are qualified to perform these duties.So this would be a good industry to get a jump start on.

The thing is as Scott said, all the techies will need plumbers and electricians, mechanics and tile setters. No one wants to do those jobs much anymore. Even the trades in the heavy construction industry are waning. Those are desperately needed and are very high paying jobs. It just may be that in the future we will all be in awe of a fantastic carpenter. I am now! Try and find one.

From elementary, middle, and high school even on into college, technology is being pushed on everyone. Yes it’s important to have an understanding because that’s how the world operates now. However, there still needs to be some training in the automotives, electrical, plumbing, welding, and several other trades because a computer does not do the physical labor of any of the jobs listed above. I think it should all be taught evenly.

For Pinal desai: Medical courses are great if you get certification then do apprentiship like Pharmacy Technician. That way you do not have to pay the huge bucks or money toward a degree. Apprentiship is learning on the job like first a dental assistant then keep going to get your license as a dental hygenist. Studying for a practical nurse would start at basic nursing. Make an appointment at your nearest hospital and talk to either a Director of Nursing instead of a Nurse’s Aide/CNA. You can learn to be a CNA in one month. Renew in 2 yrs for… Read more »

I think the companies hiring for these jobs are going to have a hard time finding qualified candidates with a strong college background in those fields. These is a big problem I see in the job market today. Companies want a candidate to have a bachelors or masters degree and 5 plus years of experience for the job they are hiring for. So let’s put this in perspective and talk numbers and facts. We had a big run of the tech age and college grads of computer science in the mid 90’s. Then a lot of people lost their jobs… Read more »

My contractor customers tell me that there is now , and will continue to be a shortage of good skilled tradesmen technicians in the plumbing, and heating and cooling industries. Great pay for people who are mechanically inclined, have attended trade school, and have their licences. Great work opportunities in these field.